Gmail vs addy.io
On privacy it's addy.io. On price it's a tie. On features it's Gmail. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
Gmail or addy.io: which should you choose?
- Gmail is the better pick if you want a mailbox that costs nothing; 15 GB of storage; and the choice of any mail app over IMAP.
- addy.io suits you best if you want your mail kept in the EU; a provider with no advertising business behind it; and to use your own domain, like you@yourname.co.uk.
| Feature | Gmail | addy.io |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 3.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.0 | Not rated |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month | Lite About $1 a month, yearly |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB shared with Drive | Yes |
| Storage | 15 GB | Forwards only |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | United Kingdom |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | EU |
| Founded | 2004 | 2018 |
| Free trial | Free | Free plan |
| Funded by advertising | Yes, or its parent company is | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | No, its own apps only |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | No |
| Aliases | Plus addressing only | Unlimited aliases |
| Open-source apps | No | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | ✓ Yes |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- Cheapest plans: Gmail Free (Google One 100 GB for more space), Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month. addy.io Lite, About $1 a month, yearly.
- For free, Gmail gives you a free plan (15 GB shared with Drive), and addy.io a free plan ().
- Gmail comes with 15 GB of storage and addy.io with no storage, as it forwards mail on.
- Your mail is stored in the United States and worldwide with Gmail, and in the EU with addy.io.
- Gmail is based in the United States and addy.io in the United Kingdom, so different privacy laws apply.
- addy.io lets you bring your own domain name; Gmail doesn't.
- Gmail works in any mail app over IMAP, and addy.io only works in its own apps.
- Only Gmail is part of an advertising business.
- For extra addresses, Gmail has plus addressing only and addy.io has unlimited aliases.
Gmail and addy.io: your questions
Which is more private, Gmail or addy.io?
addy.io scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Gmail 0. addy.io gives you your mail kept in the EU, a provider with no advertising business behind it and apps whose code is public.
Which is cheaper, Gmail or addy.io?
Gmail costs nothing to start (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month). addy.io's cheapest plan, Lite, is About $1 a month, yearly. addy.io has a free plan too: .
Do Gmail and addy.io work with my own domain?
Only addy.io does (Yes). With Gmail your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Gmail and addy.io keep my email?
Gmail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. addy.io keeps it in the EU.
Do Gmail and addy.io work in other mail apps?
Gmail works in any mail app over IMAP. addy.io only works in its own apps.
Price changes and news
No price changes for either since 22 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.
The latest headlines: Gmail news · addy.io news.
Also worth a look
Gmail vs mailbox.org · addy.io vs mailbox.org · Gmail vs Posteo · addy.io vs Posteo · Gmail vs Proton Mail · addy.io vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Moving to Gmail · Moving from Gmail. Or see all my switching guides.